GDT: 9/23/11 - DET (90-66) VS BAL (66-90) - 7:05 p.m. ET

Porcello making pitch for postseason start

By Adam Holt / MLB.com | 9/22/2011 10:50 PM ET

Starting pitching will be one of the Tigers' strengths in the postseason, and Rick Porcello could make a case for a playoff start with another good performance Friday against the Orioles.

Detroit's likely playoff rotation after ace Justin Verlander consists of Doug Fister in Game 2 and Max Scherzer likely in Game 3 for the American League Division Series. Tigers skipper Jim Leyland hasn't named a fourth starter, but he has also said he won't pitch Verlander on short rest.

Enter Porcello, who had a three-start winning streak snapped in his last outing against Oakland. The young right-hander allowed just three runs over seven innings, but he didn't get much run support in a 5-3 loss.

"It was still a good day for me, because I thought Porcello pitched pretty well," Leyland said after Porcello's last start. "He got a little shaky there early with command, but he got going pretty good, and I thought he actually pitched well. He got some good work in. I was happy with that. He pitched good. He certainly gave us a chance. If we don't have the add-on runs, who knows? It might be different, but you never know."

Porcello allowed his three runs in the first three innings of that game, but the Tigers didn't score a run until the sixth inning.

"Obviously the first couple innings were a little rocky," Porcello said. "I think I settled down after that and was able to pitch pretty well. Got those two runs on some hits -- a broken-bat hit and that stuff. There's nothing you can do about that. For the most part it was OK. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't outstanding either."

Baltimore counters with Alfredo Simon, who has had struggles against Detroit. He has allowed home runs in each of his three outings against the Tigers.

Simon has made one start against Detroit, where he allowed four runs in 4 2/3 innings on a career-high 11 hits. The right-hander is 2-4 with a 4.89 ERA in six road starts this season.

Orioles: Guerrero closing in on record
• Despite going 0-for-3 in the Orioles' 6-5 win over the Tigers on Thursday, designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero is still just four hits away from becoming the all-time hits leader among players from the Dominican Republic.

Guerrero, who needs three hits to tie Julio Franco's mark of 2,586, has said he hopes to keep playing and surpass the record by a good amount.

"I've got three more hits [to tie Franco] and then we will see," Guerrero said.

Tigers: Martinez could catch
• On Thursday, Leyland surprisingly said Victor Martinez could catch if needed. Martinez, who hasn't caught since spraining his left knee in August, has been behind the plate in just 26 games this season.

"He's fine to catch. He could catch tonight if I wanted him to," Leyland said.

If Martinez is able to catch moving forward and into the postseason, it would allow the Tigers more flexibility on their roster, especially if they choose not to carry Omir Santos to back up starting catcher Alex Avila.

Worth noting
• Baltimore's 6-5 win at Detroit on Thursday night gave the Orioles a 4-3 edge in the season series. The first six games the two teams played this season were all in Baltimore.

• J.J. Hardy and Adam Jones hit home runs for the O's in Thursday night's game to extend the club's stretch of power hitting. Entering Thursday, the Orioles were tied with the Red Sox for most home runs in the Major Leagues since June 1 with 133.

• Detroit closer Jose Valverde had saves in two of the Tigers' three wins over the Orioles this season. Valverde leads the Majors with 47 saves this season.

Tigers: RHP Rick Porcello (14-9, 4.79 ERA)

If Porcello has a postseason rotation spot left to win, this might be his best chance to do it, an opportunity to demonstrate his sinker command against the left-handed batters and switch-hitters in Baltimore's lineup.


Orioles: RHP Alfredo Simon (4-9, 4.96 ERA)

Simon continued his frustratingly erratic performance as a starting pitcher with Sunday's loss to Anaheim. The big right-hander allowed six runs on eight hits and a walk over five innings.


Game Information



INJURY UPDATE:

• OF Brennan Boesch (right thumb surgery, 15-day disabled list on September 9).
• RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow olecranon fracture surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 30).
• LHP Brad Thomas (left elbow inflammation, 60-day DL on May 11)



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• Saturday, September 24:
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (24-5, 2.29 ERA)) VS
Orioles (RHP Jeremy Guthrie (9-17, 4.28 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Sunday, September 25:
Tigers (RHP Brad Penny (10-11, 5.31 ERA)) VS
Orioles (RHP Rick VandenHurk (0-0, 8.00 ERA)),
1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Monday, September 26:
Tigers (RHP Doug Fister (7-1, 2.02 ERA)) VS
Indians (?HP TBA (--- ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

ORIOLES
Robert Andino, 2B
J.J. Hardy, SS
Nick Markakis, RF
Vladimir Guerrero, DH
Matt Wieters, C
Adam Jones, CF
Mark Reynolds, 1B
Chris Davis, 3B
Nolan Reimold, LF

P: Alfredo Simon


TIGERS
Austin Jackson, CF
Don Kelly, 3B
Delmon Young, LF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Alex Avila, C
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Andy Dirks, RF
Ramon Santiago, 2B

P: Rick Porcello

BAL - Top 1st
B:1 S:0 O:1
Robert Andino flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:2 O:1
J. Hardy singles on a soft fly ball to right fielder Andy Dirks.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Nick Markakis flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Vladimir Guerrero doubles (29) on a line drive to right fielder Andy Dirks. J. Hardy scores. Vladimir Guerrero out at 3rd on the throw, right fielder Andy Dirks to first baseman Miguel Cabrera to catcher Alex Avila to third baseman Don Kelly.
BAL 1 - 0

DET - Bot 1st
B:2 S:1 O:0
Austin Jackson hit by pitch.

With Don Kelly batting, Austin Jackson steals (22) 2nd base.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Don Kelly out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Delmon Young flies out to left fielder Nolan Reimold. Austin Jackson to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Miguel Cabrera homers (27) on a fly ball to left field. Austin Jackson scores.
2 - 1

B:1 S:1 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out, second baseman Robert Andino to first baseman Mark Reynolds.

2 - 1 AFTER 1 INNING

BAL - Top 2nd
B:4 S:2 O:0
Matt Wieters walks.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Adam Jones out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Mark Reynolds singles on a ground ball to left fielder Delmon Young. Matt Wieters to 2nd.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Chris Davis called out on .

B:2 S:2 O:3
Nolan Reimold grounds into a force out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Ramon Santiago. Mark Reynolds out at 2nd.

DET - Bot 2nd
B:0 S:0 O:0
Alex Avila singles on a line drive to left fielder Nolan Reimold.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Jhonny Peralta grounds into double play, shortstop J. Hardy to second baseman Robert Andino to first baseman Mark Reynolds. Alex Avila out at 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Andy Dirks grounds out softly, pitcher Alfredo Simon to first baseman Mark Reynolds.

2 - 1 AFTER 2 INNINGS

BAL - Top 3rd
B:0 S:1 O:0
Robert Andino singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:1 S:1 O:0
J. Hardy singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Don Kelly. Robert Andino to 2nd.

With Nick Markakis batting, wild pitch by Rick Porcello, Robert Andino to 3rd. J. Hardy to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Nick Markakis out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Delmon Young. Robert Andino scores.
TIED 2 - 2

B:0 S:1 O:2
Vladimir Guerrero grounds out, third baseman Don Kelly to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Matt Wieters singles on a fly ball to left fielder Delmon Young. J. Hardy scores.
BAL 3 - 2

B:1 S:2 O:3
Adam Jones grounds out, third baseman Don Kelly to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 3rd
B:3 S:2 O:1
Ramon Santiago singles on a ground ball to left fielder Nolan Reimold. Ramon Santiago out at 2nd, left fielder Nolan Reimold to second baseman Robert Andino.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Austin Jackson bunt grounds out, pitcher Alfredo Simon to first baseman Mark Reynolds.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Don Kelly walks.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Delmon Young out swinging.

BAL 3 - 2 AFTER 3 INNINGS

BAL - Top 4th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Mark Reynolds grounds out, third baseman Don Kelly to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Chris Davis pops out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Nolan Reimold singles on a fly ball to right fielder Andy Dirks.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Robert Andino grounds into a force out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Ramon Santiago. Nolan Reimold out at 2nd.

DET - Bot 4th
B:2 S:1 O:1
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop J. Hardy to first baseman Mark Reynolds.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Victor Martinez grounds out to first baseman Mark Reynolds.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Alex Avila out swinging.

BAL 3 - 2 AFTER 4 INNINGS

BAL - Top 5th
B:1 S:2 O:0
J. Hardy singles on a ground ball to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Nick Markakis grounds into double play, second baseman Ramon Santiago to shortstop Jhonny Peralta to catcher Alex Avila to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. J. Hardy out at 2nd. Nick Markakis out at 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Vladimir Guerrero singles on a ground ball to right fielder Andy Dirks.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Matt Wieters flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

DET - Bot 5th
B:1 S:1 O:0
Jhonny Peralta doubles (25) on a fly ball to center fielder Adam Jones.

B:1 S:3 O:1
Andy Dirks out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Ramon Santiago singles on a fly ball to right fielder Nick Markakis. Jhonny Peralta scores.
TIED 3 - 3

B:1 S:3 O:2
Austin Jackson out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Don Kelly flies out to left fielder Nolan Reimold.

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 5 INNINGS

BAL - Top 6th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Adam Jones grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Mark Reynolds out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Chris Davis grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Rick Porcello.

DET - Bot 6th
B:1 S:0 O:1
Delmon Young flies out to right fielder Nick Markakis.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Adam Jones.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out, second baseman Robert Andino to first baseman Mark Reynolds.

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 6 INNINGS

BAL - Top 7th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Nolan Reimold flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Robert Andino out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:3
J. Hardy grounds out softly to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 7th
B:0 S:1 O:0
Alex Avila singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Nolan Reimold.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta grounds into double play, shortstop J. Hardy to second baseman Robert Andino to first baseman Mark Reynolds. Alex Avila out at 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Andy Dirks flies out to center fielder Adam Jones.

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 7 INNINGS

BAL - Top 8th
Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Rick Porcello.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Nick Markakis singles on a soft line drive to second baseman Ramon Santiago, deflected by pitcher Phil Coke.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Vladimir Guerrero grounds into double play, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Nick Markakis out at 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Matt Wieters pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 8th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Ramon Santiago grounds out, shortstop J. Hardy to first baseman Mark Reynolds.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Austin Jackson flies out to right fielder Nick Markakis.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Don Kelly grounds out sharply to first baseman Mark Reynolds.

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 8 INNINGS

BAL - Top 9th
Defensive Substitution: Brandon Inge replaces third baseman Don Kelly, batting 2nd, playing third base.

Pitcher Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Phil Coke.

B:3 S:3 O:1
Adam Jones out swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Mark Reynolds out swinging, catcher Alex Avila to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Chris Davis out swinging.

DET - Bot 9th
Pitcher Change: Jim Johnson replaces Alfredo Simon.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Delmon Young flies out to right fielder Nick Markakis.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera singles on a soft fly ball to right fielder Nick Markakis.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez grounds out, second baseman Robert Andino to first baseman Mark Reynolds. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Jim Johnson intentionally walks Alex Avila.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Jhonny Peralta called out on .

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 9 INNINGS

BAL - Top 10th
Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Joaquin Benoit.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Nolan Reimold out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Robert Andino lines out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:2 O:3
J. Hardy flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

DET - Bot 10th
Pitcher Change: Willie Eyre replaces Jim Johnson.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Andy Dirks flies out to center fielder Adam Jones.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Ramon Santiago grounds out, second baseman Robert Andino to first baseman Mark Reynolds.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Austin Jackson out swinging.

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 10 INNINGS

BAL - Top 11th
Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Jose Valverde.

B:1 S:2 O:0
Nick Markakis doubles (29) on a fly ball to right fielder Andy Dirks.

B:4 S:0 O:0
Vladimir Guerrero walks.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Kyle Hudson replaces Vladimir Guerrero.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Matt Wieters grounds into double play, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to shortstop Jhonny Peralta to pitcher Ryan Perry. Nick Markakis to 3rd. Kyle Hudson out at 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Adam Jones grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 11th
Kyle Hudson remains in the game as the designated hitter.

B:4 S:2 O:0
Brandon Inge walks.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Danny Worth replaces Brandon Inge.

B:3 S:1 O:1
Delmon Young pops out to catcher Matt Wieters in foul territory.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Miguel Cabrera singles on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Nick Markakis. Danny Worth to 2nd.
Pitcher Change: Zach Phillips replaces Willie Eyre.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez singles on a sharp line drive to left fielder Nolan Reimold. Danny Worth scores. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.